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My goal is to create a 3d printable prop for a game (so no need for animation). It will be a tablet (with text and images carved out of it) broken up into half a dozen pieces which the players will need to collect and reassemble.

It should give the impression of having been broken by being dropped while being highly gamable (i.e. it should be 6 pieces of approximately even sizes with the breaks all being across the same two axis so approx 1/6th of the largest face appears on each fragment).

The pieces should look something along the lines of this image, but needn't be so realistic.

photo of what is described

I'm currently trying to build a proof of concept by creating a plain cuboid and then breaking it apart before I spend time on sculpting a design into it and smoothing out the edges.

I've had a go at using Cell Fracture but I can't see any way to guide where the breaks will be and am getting things like the top right back corner coming off. I'm either missing a lot about how to use it (complete novice here!) or it is the wrong tool for this job.

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  • $\begingroup$ Hello have you tried a Boolean modifier to cut your 6 parts? $\endgroup$
    – moonboots
    Commented Feb 11 at 18:10
  • $\begingroup$ @moonboots - I haven't, but it could be a better way forward. What would be the most sensible approach? I'm pondering duplicating the original object, hacking away 5/6th of it to get the first fragment. Then line the fragment up with the original and subtract it. Then repeat 4 times. Is that the most efficient way? $\endgroup$
    – Quentin
    Commented Feb 11 at 19:22

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Let's say that you want to cut an object into 4 pieces, create the 4 objects that are supposed to cut the object, stick the 4 objects to each others with the Snap option for example:

enter image description here

Duplicate the object and one of the 4 cutting object, give to the object a Boolean modifier in Intersect mode, apply, then duplicate again the original object and another one of the 4 cutting objects:

enter image description here

For the example you show me, create a plane, subidivide it, sculpt it a bit, put it where you want the cut to happen:

enter image description here

Duplicate the objects, use the Boolean modifier with the Difference mode to get the first half of the object:

enter image description here

Duplicate the original objects again, select the plane, in Edit mode select all and invert its normals (AltN > Flip), you get the other half:

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ Given that the finished result is supposed to appear broken (rather than smoothly cut), how best to create the cutting objects so the edges aren't completely flat? (They should be ragged rather than smooth). i.e. this sort of thing: media.istockphoto.com/id/1154989714/photo/… $\endgroup$
    – Quentin
    Commented Feb 11 at 22:49
  • $\begingroup$ I've edited my answer, please see if it is what you want $\endgroup$
    – moonboots
    Commented Feb 11 at 23:18
  • $\begingroup$ That looks great. I'll give it a shot in a couple of days when I have a free evening. $\endgroup$
    – Quentin
    Commented Feb 11 at 23:21
  • $\begingroup$ That seems to be doing the job. Next up I'm going to try to put the design in it and then print a piece to see how it goes end to end. Thanks again. $\endgroup$
    – Quentin
    Commented Feb 13 at 20:05
  • $\begingroup$ You're welcome ;) ...... $\endgroup$
    – moonboots
    Commented Feb 13 at 20:08

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